Judging an IPA in a competition recently, I was tempted to write ' try using hops instead of cabbage next time'. I didn't, because this wasn't a constructive way to put accross the vegetal characteristics the beer displayed and how the brewer might deal with them. I suspected that the hops were less than fresh, but making suppositions isn't supposed to be the name of the game.

I entered My Maudite clone under Belgian Specialty 16E. http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style16.php#1eI was told that Maudite is not a Belgian beer. However, it was an excellent clone of Maudite. Major dings on score for that one.

I wonder if judges ever look at the reference beers in the BJCP guide?Hint: it's on line two. Duh!

All the other five entries of mine suffered from similar jackass comments.So I just quit entering competitions. Why waste the time and money?

Logged

I'd say something witty down here, but I'm at a bit of a disadvantage in that department.

I think comps can be a good way for you to get feedback on your beer (sometimes) but, for me, I am far too lazy and frugal to ship my beer. But more than that I am far too greedy! When it comes down to those last two or three beers that I feel are good enough to send out for a comp I would much rather prefer to drink them myself! I'm bummed out enough when I hit the bottom of a keg let alone to think there could have been three more glassfulls in there!

My point exactly! What "underlying beer style" is New Glarus Belgian Red or Raspberry Tart exactly? If you ask Dan, he'll tell you it's a fruit beer. Duh!

I think it's an invalid comparison, though. Commercial brewers can brew to any (or no) style they want to and call it what they want to. The purpose of a homebrew comp is to compare beers that are in the same style category, therefore a baseline is needed. Now, if you don't want to do that, you can of course do like the commercial breweries and brew what you like, call it what you like, and not enter comps.

I realize competitions are very subjective. I think if the flight were tasted in a different order you would get different results. However, I like to enter my local club competition for two reasons:1. I do get some constructive feedback on my beers. Even if the judges disagree on the beer I can learn from each of their comments.2. This is the major fundraiser for the club. This year I'm entering 4 beers at a cost of $24 and for that I get an entire day of great entertainment, learning and as a steward I get to also taste the beers. Lunch is provided and door prizes are there for another $5 purchase of raffle tickets. Best $29 I'll spend in a long time.

My point exactly! What "underlying beer style" is New Glarus Belgian Red or Raspberry Tart exactly? If you ask Dan, he'll tell you it's a fruit beer. Duh!

I think it's an invalid comparison, though. Commercial brewers can brew to any (or no) style they want to and call it what they want to. The purpose of a homebrew comp is to compare beers that are in the same style category, therefore a baseline is needed. Now, if you don't want to do that, you can of course do like the commercial breweries and brew what you like, call it what you like, and not enter comps.

So if I made a New Glarus Belgian Red clone & enter it into a competition and it's listed as one of the commercial examples. What would you suggest I list as an underlying style? I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to find a Wisconsin Cherry Ale anywhere in the guidelines. I think that's a fairly valid point, wouldn't you agree?